FEMA OKs flood disaster aid for Lockport, other NY communities

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared New York State eligible for disaster aid for damage flash floods during June, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday night.

Based on estimates by a FEMA disaster team that visited Lockport after the floods there June 28, the aid should be about $800,000 to the city, where several streets were washed out and the city wastewater treatment plant was damaged by record water flows.

Cuomo said the state was able to demonstrate $32.7 million in damage to public infrastructure, which was $6 million above the threshold set by FEMA for New York to qualify for aid after any emergency.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who toured flood damage in Lockport and promised that he would push for aid, tweeted Friday that he was “thrilled” by the news.

Besides Niagara, 11 other counties, including Allegany County, were designated as eligible for public assistance for flooding in heavy rains in various areas as early as June 11. The aid does not cover damage to private property.